HOPEFUL

05.15.14

You Can Text 911 Now

Text-to-911, which allows users to send a text message to reach 911 emergency dispatch, is launching across the U.S. The nation's four largest carriers (Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon) will now officially route texts addressed to 911 to the police. Before you go ahead and use it however, check with your police department, because your local police may not be implementing it, as it is up to each 911 call center to decide whether and when to being accepting texts. As the Federal Communications Commission notes, you should always try to contact 911 by making a voice call if you can, and only use texting if voice is unsafe or not feasible.